The Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis) is an even-toed ungulatemammal of the deerfamily. It is the only member of the subfamily Hydropotinae. There are two subspecies: the Chinese Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis inermis) and the Korean Water Deer (Hydropotes inermis argyropus).

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Water Deer are small deer: they are about 90 cm long and about 50 cm high. They weigh about 13 kg. The Water Deer has yellowish-brown fur, with a white chin and throat. Both males and females do not have antlers. Males have long upper canine teeth (called tusks), which can be up to 5 cm long.

After a pregnancy of 200 days the female gives birth to 2-4 babies. A Water Deer baby has white dots and stripes on its fur, which disappear after 8 weeks. They drink milk for 3 months. When the young Water Deer are 6 months old they are independent and leave their mothers. They become mature when they are 1 year old.